Method and apparatus for radio link monitoring and radio link failure in sidelink communication

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are a communication scheme and a system thereof for converging an IoT technology and a 5G communication system for supporting a high data transmission rate beyond that of a 4G system. The disclosure may be applied to a smart service (for example, a smart home, a smart building, a smart city, a smart car or connected car, healthcare, digital education, retail business, a security and security related service, or the like) on the basis of a 5G communication technology and an IoT related technology. Disclosed are a method and apparatus for performing radio link monitoring (RLM) and radio link failure (RLF) in a vehicle communication (V2X) system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 toKorean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0008354, filed on Jan. 22, 2019,in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which isherein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The disclosure relates to a mobile communication system, and relates toa method in which a vehicle terminal, which supports vehiclecommunication, performs transmission or reception of a signal withanother vehicle terminal and a pedestrian portable terminal, using asidelink, and an apparatus therefor.

2. Description of Related Art

In order to meet wireless data traffic demands that have increased after4G communication system commercialization, efforts to develop animproved 5G communication system or a pre-5G communication system havebeen made. For this reason, the 5G communication system or the pre-5Gcommunication system is called a beyond 4G network communication systemor a post LTE system. In order to achieve a high data transmission rate,an implementation of the 5G communication system in a mmWave band (forexample, 60 GHz band) is being considered. In the 5G communicationsystem, technologies such as beamforming, massive MIMO, Full DimensionalMIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna, analog beam-forming, and large scaleantenna are being discussed as means to mitigate a propagation path lossin the mm Wave band and increase a propagation transmission distance.Further, the 5G communication system has developed technologies such asan evolved small cell, an advanced small cell, a cloud Radio AccessNetwork (RAN), an ultra-dense network, Device to Device communication(D2D), a wireless backhaul, a moving network, cooperative communication,Coordinated Multi-Points (CoMP), and received interference cancellationto improve the system network. In addition, the 5G system has developedAdvanced Coding Modulation (ACM) schemes such as Hybrid FSK and QAMModulation (FQAM) and Sliding Window Superposition Coding (SWSC), andadvanced access technologies such as Filter Bank Multi Carrier (FBMC),Non Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA), and Sparse Code Multiple Access(SCMA).

Meanwhile, the Internet has been evolved to an Internet of Things (IoT)network in which distributed components such as objects exchange andprocess information from a human-oriented connection network in whichhumans generate and consume information. An Internet of Everything (IoE)technology in which a big data processing technology through aconnection with a cloud server or the like is combined with the IoTtechnology has emerged. In order to implement IoT, technical factorssuch as a sensing technique, wired/wireless communication, networkinfrastructure, service-interface technology, and security technologyare required, and research on technologies such as a sensor network,Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication, Machine-Type Communication(MTC), and the like for connection between objects has recently beenconducted. In an IoT environment, through collection and analysis ofdata generated in connected objects, an intelligent Internet Technology(IT) service to create a new value for peoples' lives may be provided.The IoT may be applied to fields such as those of a smart home, a smartbuilding, a smart city, a smart car, a connected car, a smart grid,health care, a smart home appliance, or high-tech medical servicesthrough the convergence of the conventional Information Technology (IT)and various industries.

Accordingly, various attempts to apply the 5G communication to the IoTnetwork are made. For example, the 5G communication technology, such asa sensor network, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, andmachine-type communication (MTC), has been implemented by a technique,such as beamforming, MIMO, and array antennas. The application of acloud RAN as the big data processing technology may be an example ofconvergence of the 5G technology and the IoT technology.

Study on a vehicle-to-everything (V2X), which uses a 5G communicationsystem, is being conducted, and it is expected to provide variousservices to users by using V2X.

The above information is presented as background information only toassist with an understanding of the disclosure. No determination hasbeen made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the abovemight be applicable as prior art with regard to the disclosure.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the disclosure is to provide a V2X system, andparticularly, is to provide a method and apparatus for performing radiolink monitoring (RLM) and radio link failure (RLF) in the process inwhich a vehicle terminal, which supports V2X, performs transmission orreception of information with another vehicle terminal and a pedestrianportable terminal using a sidelink.

The present disclosure has been made to address the above-mentionedproblems and disadvantages, and to provide at least the advantagesdescribed below.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, A methodperformed by a terminal in a communication system is provided. Themethod includes transmitting, to another terminal, data on a sidelink,determining whether a radio link failure (RLF) associated with thesidelink is detected, and in case that the RLF is detected,transmitting, to a base station, information indicating that the RLFassociated with the sidelink occurs, wherein the terminal is connectedwith the base station.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, A terminalin a communication system is provided. The terminal includes atransceiver and a controller configured to transmit, to another terminalvia the transceiver, data on a sidelink, determine whether a radio linkfailure (RLF) associated with the sidelink is detected, and in case thatthe RLF is detected, transmit, to a base station via the transceiver,information indicating that the RLF associated with the sidelink occurs,wherein the terminal is connected with the base station. The disclosureproposes a method in which a terminal performs radio link monitoring(RLM) and radio link failure (RLF) in sidelink communication. Accordingto the disclosure, sidelink unicast and groupcast communication may bemore reliably supported.

Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may beadvantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases usedthroughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” aswell as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term“or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and“associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean toinclude, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be containedwithin, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with,cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to orwith, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term “controller”means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least oneoperation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware orsoftware, or some combination of at least two of the same. It should benoted that the functionality associated with any particular controllermay be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely.

Moreover, various functions described below can be implemented orsupported by one or more computer programs, each of which is formed fromcomputer readable program code and embodied in a computer readablemedium. The terms “application” and “program” refer to one or morecomputer programs, software components, sets of instructions,procedures, functions, objects, classes, instances, related data, or aportion thereof adapted for implementation in a suitable computerreadable program code. The phrase “computer readable program code”includes any type of computer code, including source code, object code,and executable code. The phrase “computer readable medium” includes anytype of medium capable of being accessed by a computer, such as readonly memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a hard disk drive, acompact disc (CD), a digital video disc (DVD), or any other type ofmemory. A “non-transitory” computer readable medium excludes wired,wireless, optical, or other communication links that transporttransitory electrical or other signals. A non-transitory computerreadable medium includes media where data can be permanently stored andmedia where data can be stored and later overwritten, such as arewritable optical disc or an erasable memory device.

Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout thispatent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understandthat in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, aswell as future uses of such defined words and phrases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the disclosure and its advantages,reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numeralsrepresent like parts:

FIG. 1A illustrates a diagram of an example of a system according to anembodiment;

FIG. 1B illustrates a diagram of another example of a system accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a diagram of an example of a V2X communication methodimplemented via a sidelink;

FIG. 3 illustrates a diagram of a method in which RLM is performedbetween a base station and a terminal in a legacy LTE and an NR system;

FIG. 4 illustrates a diagram of an example of a method of performing RLMin an NR V2X system;

FIG. 5 illustrates a diagram of another example of a method ofperforming RLM in an NR V2X system;

FIG. 6 illustrates a diagram of an example of indicating whether totransmit an SL SS/PBCH block according to a scenario in a V2Xcommunication method implemented using a sidelink;

FIG. 7 illustrates a diagram of an example of using an SL SS/PBCH as anRLM measurement signal, if the SL SS/PBCH is transmitted from a terminalwhich is different from a terminal that transmit data, in a V2Xcommunication method implemented using a sidelink;

FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of an internal structure of aterminal according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram of an internal structure of a basestation according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A through 9, discussed below, and the various embodiments used todescribe the principles of the present disclosure in this patentdocument are by way of illustration only and should not be construed inany way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the artwill understand that the principles of the present disclosure may beimplemented in any suitably arranged system or device.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detailwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

In describing the embodiments, descriptions of technologies which arealready known to those skilled in the art and are not directly relatedto the disclosure may be omitted. Such an omission of unnecessarydescriptions is intended to prevent obscuring of the main idea of thedisclosure and more clearly transfer the main idea.

For the same reason, in the accompanying drawings, some elements may beexaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated. Further, the size ofeach element does not entirely reflect the actual size. In the drawings,identical or corresponding elements are provided with identicalreference numerals.

The advantages and features of the disclosure and methods of achievingthe same will be apparent by referring to embodiments of the disclosureas described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings. However, the disclosure is not limited by the embodimentsdescribed below, but may be implemented in various different ways. Theembodiments are provided to enable the disclosure to be complemented,and to completely show the scope of the disclosure to those skilled inthe art. The disclosure is merely defined by the scope of the claims.Throughout the specification, the same or like reference numeralsdesignate the same or like elements.

Here, it will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations, and combinations of blocks in the flowchartillustrations, can be implemented by computer program instructions.These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of ageneral purpose computer, special purpose computer, or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such thatthe instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer orother programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks.These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerusable or computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer usable orcomputer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture includinginstruction means that implement the function specified in the flowchartblock or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loadedonto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or otherprogrammable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process suchthat the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmableapparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in theflowchart block or blocks.

And each block of the flowchart illustrations may represent a module,segment, or portion of code, which includes one or more executableinstructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). Itshould also be noted that in some alternative implementations, thefunctions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order. For example,two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantiallyconcurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved.

As used herein, the “unit” refers to a software element or a hardwareelement, such as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or anApplication Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), which performs apredetermined function. However, the “unit does not always have ameaning limited to software or hardware. The “unit” may be constructedeither to be stored in an addressable storage medium or to execute oneor more processors. Therefore, the “unit” includes, for example,software elements, object-oriented software elements, class elements ortask elements, processes, functions, properties, procedures,sub-routines, segments of a program code, drivers, firmware,micro-codes, circuits, data, database, data structures, tables, arrays,and parameters. The elements and functions provided by the “unit” may beeither combined into a smaller number of elements, “unit” or dividedinto a larger number of elements, “unit”. Moreover, the elements and“units” may be implemented to reproduce one or more CPUs within a deviceor a security multimedia card. Also, in an embodiment, “ . . . unit” mayinclude one or more processors.

The detailed descriptions of the embodiments are provided mainly withreference to New RAN (NR), which is radio access network, and a packetcore, which is a core network (a 5G system, a 5G core network, or an NGcore: next generation core), in the 5G mobile communication standardspecified by the 3GPP which is a standard organization for a mobilecommunication standard. However, the subject matter of the disclosurecan be slightly modified without departing from the scoped of thedisclosure, and might be applied to other communication systems having asimilar technical background. The modification and application thereofmay be determined by those skilled in the art.

In a 5G system, in order to support automation of a network, a networkdata collection and analysis function (NWDAF) may be defined, which is anetwork function that provides a function of analyzing and providingdata collected in a 5G network. The NWDAF may provide, to an unspecifiednetwork function (NF), a result obtained by collecting/storing/analyzinginformation from the 5G network, and the analysis result may beindependently used by each NF.

For ease of description, some of the terms and names that are defined inthe 3rd generation partnership project long term evolution (3GPP LTE)standard (or standards of 5G, NR, LTE, or systems similar thereto) maybe used. However, the disclosure is not limited to the terms and names,and may be equally applied to a system that is based on anotherstandard.

Hereinafter, terms for identifying access nodes, terms that refer tonetwork entities, terms that refer to messages, terms that refer tointerfaces between network entities, terms for various types ofidentification information, and the like are merely used for ease ofdescription. Therefore, terms are not limited to the terms used in thedisclosure, and other terms that that refer to subjects havingequivalent technical meanings may be used.

In order to meet wireless data traffic demands that have increased aftercommercialization of the 4G communication system, efforts to develop animproved 5G communication system (new radio (NR)) are being made. Inorder to achieve a high data transmission rate, the 5G communicationsystem is designed to use resources in an ultra-high frequency (mmWave)band (e.g., a 28 GHz frequency band). In the 5G communication system,technologies such as beamforming, massive MIMO, full dimensional MIMO(FD-MIMO), an array antenna, analog beam-forming, and a large scaleantenna are being discussed to mitigate a propagation path loss in theultra-high frequency band and to increase a propagation transmissiondistance. In addition, unlike LTE, the 5G communication system supportsvarious subcarrier spacing, such as 30 kHz, 60 kHz, 120 kHz, and thelike including 15 kHz. A physical control channel is encoded using polarcoding, and a physical data channel is encoded using low density paritycheck (LDPC). Furthermore, a cyclic prefix OFDM (CP-OFDM), as well as aDFT spread OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM), may be used as a waveform for uplinktransmission. LTE supports hybrid ARQ (HARQ) retransmission performed inunits of transport blocks (TBs). Conversely, a 5G system mayadditionally support HARQ retransmission in units of code block groups(CBGs), in which code blocks (CBs) are bound.

In the case of vehicle communication, an LTE-based V2X has beenstandardized based on a device-to-device (D2D) communication structure,in 3GPP Rel-14 and Rel-15. Currently, an effect to develop V2X based on5G new radio (NR) is being made. In NR V2X, it is expected to supportunicast communication between terminals, groupcast (or multicast)communication, and broadcast communication. Unlike LTE V2X which is fortransmission or reception of basic safety information, which is neededwhen a vehicle drives on a road, the NR V2X is to provide an advancedservice such as platooning, advanced driving, an extended sensor, orremote driving.

Hereinafter, a sidelink refers to a signal transmission or receptionpath between terminals, which may be interchangeably used with a PC5interface. Hereinafter, a base station is a subject that performsresource allocation for a terminal, and may be a base station thatsupports both V2X communication and normal cellular communication or maybe a base station that supports only V2X communication. That is, thebase station refers to a 5G base station (gNB), a 4G base station (eNB),or a road site unit (RSU). A terminal may be a mobile station, and maybe a vehicle that supports vehicular-to-vehicular (V2V) communication, avehicle or a pedestrian's handset (i.e., a smart phone) that supportsvehicular-to-pedestrian (V2P) communication, a vehicle that supportsvehicular-to-network (V2N) communication, a vehicle that supportsvehicular-to-infrastructure (V21) communication, a radio side unit (RSU)equipped with a terminal function, an RSU equipped with a base stationfunction, an RSU equipped with some of a base station function and someof a terminal function, or the like. A base station and a terminal maybe connected via a Uu interface.

In a sidelink of V2X and D2D based on a legacy LTE system, onlybroadcast communication is supported, and radio link monitoring (RLM)and radio link failure (RLF) functions are not supported. Particularly,RLM is a function of measuring and monitoring a communication linkquality. According to the result of RLM, a terminal may report a linkquality to a higher layer. Based on the same, the hither layer maydetermine whether to maintain the current communication link or todeclare RLF and connect a link again. In the case of NR V2X, unicastbetween terminals and groupcast communication are considered.Accordingly, in order to secure continuous connection of a communicationlink, the RLM and RLF functions may be needed.

Particularly, if the RLM and RLF functions are not supported in anadvanced scenario, such as platooning, advanced driving, an extendedsensor, remote driving, or the like which is considered in the NR V2X,continuous connection of the service may not be secured which may badlyaffect the performance of the service being provided. For example, inthe case of remote driving, if restoration of a link via RLM and RLF isnot attempted even though a link quality is poor, safety of a vehiclemay not be secured. In addition, in the case of an existing Uu interfacebetween a base station and a terminal, the base station transmits ameasurement signal for RLM and the terminal performs RLM and RLF usingthe same. In the case of a sidelink of V2X, which is communicationbetween terminals, a terminal that performs transmission, as well as aterminal that receives data, is capable of decreasing power consumptionvia RLM and RLM, if a link quality is poor. In the case in which RLM andRLF are supported in a terminal that transmits data, if the link qualityassociated with transmission is poor, a leader terminal of a group in aservice scenario, such as platooning, may transfer a leader function toanother terminal so as to support more reliable platooning.

In order to support the above-described scenario, unlike the legacy LTEV2X technology, the NR V2X may need to perform RLM and RLF in theprocess in which a vehicle terminal performs transmission or receptionof information with another terminal and a pedestrian portable terminal,using a side link. However, there is no discussion thereon. Therefore,the disclosure provides a method of selecting and configuring ameasurement signal for RLM. Also, there are provided a method in which aterminal performs RLM using a measurement signal and operates accordingto an RLM result, and an apparatus therefor.

Embodiments are provided to support the above-described scenario, andare to provide a method and apparatus for performing RLM and RLF betweenterminals in a sidelink environment where unicast and group castcommunication are supported.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1A illustrates a diagram of an example of a system according to anembodiment.

According to FIG. 1A, an in-coverage scenario 100 is an example of thecase in which all V2X terminals (UE-1 104 and UE-2 106) are locatedwithin a coverage area of a base station 102.

In this instance, all V2X terminals 104 and 106 may receive data andcontrol information from the base station 102 via a downlink (DL), ormay transmit data and control information to the base station via anuplink (UL). In this instance, the data and control information may bedata and control information for V2X communication. Alternatively, thedata and control information may be data and control information fornormal cellular communication. Also, V2X terminals may transmit orreceive data and control information for V2X communication, via asidelink (SL).

A partial coverage scenario 110 is an example of the case in which,among V2X terminals, UE-1 114 is located within a coverage area of abase station 112, and the UE-2 116 is located outside the coverage areaof the base station 112. An example according to the scenario 110 may bereferred to as an example associated with partial coverage.

The UE-1 114 located within the coverage area of the base station 112may receive data and control information from the base station 112 via adownlink (DL), or may transmit data and control information to the basestation 112 via an uplink (UL).

The UE-2 116 which is located outside the coverage area of the basestation 112 may not be capable of receiving data and control informationfrom the base station 112 via a downlink, and may not be capable oftransmitting data and control information to the base station 112 via anuplink.

The UE-2 116 and UE-1 114 may perform transmission or reception of dataand control information for V2X communication via a sidelink.

Out-of-coverage 120 is an example of the case in which all V2X terminals122 and 124 are located outside a coverage area of a base station(out-of-coverage).

Therefore, the UE-1 122 and the UE-2 124 may not be capable of receivingdata and control information from a base station via a downlink, and maynot be capable of transmitting data and control information to the basestation via an uplink. The UE-1 122 and the UE-2 124 may performtransmission or reception of data and control information for V2Xcommunication, via a sidelink.

FIG. 1B illustrates a diagram of another example of a system accordingto an embodiment.

According to FIG. 1B, an inter-cell V2X communication scenario 130 is anexample of the case of performing V2X communication between terminalslocated in different cells. Particularly, it is illustrated that a V2Xtransmission terminal and a V2X reception terminal access (RRCconnection state) or camp on (RRC connection released state, that is,RRC idle state) different base stations, in the scenario 130. In thisinstance, UE-1 136 may be a V2X transmission terminal and UE-2 138 maybe a V2X reception terminal. Alternatively, the UE-1 136 may be a V2Xreception terminal and the UE-2 138 may be a V2X transmission terminal.The UE-1 136 may receive a V2X-dedicated system information block (SIB)from a base station 132 that the UE-1 136 accesses (or camps on), andthe UE-2 138 may receive a V2X-dedicated SIB from another base station134 that the UE-2 138 accesses (or camps on). In this instance, theV2X-dedicated SIB information that the UE-1 136 receives and theV2X-dedicated SIB information that the UE-2 138 receives may bedifferent from each other. Therefore, in order to perform V2Xcommunication between terminals located in different cells, theinformation may be unified, or flexible parameter configuration may besupported via a related parameter configuration method and apparatus ofthe disclosure.

Although FIG. 1 illustrates a V2X system including two terminals (UE-1and UE-2) for ease of description, the disclosure is not limitedthereto. Also, the uplink and the downlink between a base station andV2X terminals may be referred to as a Uu interface, and the sidelinkbetween V2X terminals may be referred to as a PC5 interface. Therefore,the terms may be interchangeably used in the disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a diagram of an example of a V2X communication methodimplemented via a sidelink.

According to FIG. 2, as shown in diagram 200, a Tx terminal (UE-1 202 orUE-2 204) and an Rx terminal (UE-2 204 or UE-1 202) may performone-to-one communication, which may be referred to as unicastcommunication.

As shown in diagram 210, TX terminals and RX terminals may performone-to-multiple communication, which may be referred to as a groupcastor multicast.

In diagram 210, UE-1, UE-2, and UE-3 are included in a single group(group A) 212 and perform groupcast communication. UE-4, UE-5, UE-6, andUE-7 are included in another group (group B) 214 and perform groupcastcommunication. Each terminal performs groupcast communication within agroup which the corresponding terminal belongs to, and communicationbetween different groups may not be performed. Although diagram 210illustrates that two groups, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

Although not illustrated in FIG. 2, V2X terminals may perform broadcastcommunication. The broadcast communication refers to the case in whichall V2X terminals receive data and control information that a V2Xtransmission terminal transmits via a sidelink. For example, if it isassumed that a UE-1 is a transmission terminal for broadcast in diagram210, the all terminals (UE-2, UE-3, UE-4, UE-5, UE-6, and UE-7) mayreceive data and control information that UE-1 transmits.

Supporting a process in which a vehicle terminal transmits data to onlya single predetermined node via a unicast, and a process in which avehicle terminal transmits data to multiple predetermined nodes via agroupcast may be considered in NR V2X, unlike LTE V2X. For example,unicast and groupcast technologies may be effectively used when aservice scenario, such as platooning, is considered. Platooning is atechnology in which two or more vehicles connect to a single network,and move by being bounded as a group. Particularly, unicastcommunication may be needed when a leader node in a group configured byplatooning desires to control a predetermined node, and group castcommunication may be needed when a leader node desires to control agroup including multiple predetermined nodes at the same time.

FIG. 3 illustrates a diagram of a method in which RLM is performedbetween a base station and a terminal in a legacy LTE and an NR system.

For RLM, a terminal 302 may receive, from a base station 300, ameasurement signal as follows in operation 310.

-   -   An LTE terminal may use a cell-specific reference signal (CRS)        as a measurement signal for RLM [please see TS 36.213 Section        4.2.1]    -   An NR terminal may use a synchronization signal/physical        broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) block or a channel state information        reference signal (CSI-RS), or may use both of them, as a        measurement signal for RLM [please see TS 36.213 Section 5].

Subsequently, the terminal measures a radio link quality using themeasurement signal in operation 320. Subsequently, the terminalindicates an out-of-sync state or an in-sync state to a higher layerusing a communication link quality measurement result in operation 330.Particularly, if the communication link quality is poorer than athreshold point Q_(out), the terminal indicates that the link quality is“out-of-sync” to the higher layer. However, if the communication linkquality is better than a threshold point Q_(in), the terminal indicatesthat the link quality is “in-sync” to the higher layer. The thresholdpoints Q_(out) and Q_(in) are defined as block error rates (BLER) inRAN4 standard [please see TS 36.133 Section 7.11 for an LTE terminal,and please see TS 38.133 Section 8.1 for an NR terminal].

Based on the result of RLM in operation 330, the terminal may perform anRLF related operation. If “out-of-sync” is successively indicated by alower layer, the higher layer may operate an RLM-related timer. If“in-sync” is successfully indicated by the lower layer, an RLM-relatedtimer may be suspended. If the timer, which starts operating, expires,the terminal determines that it is RLF, suspends an RLM-related timer,and performs two operations as follows.

-   -   The terminal suspends uplink transmission to a base station.        -   Uplink transmission, such as semi-persistent scheduling            (SPS), channel state information including a channel quality            indicator (CQI), a sounding reference signal (SRS), a            scheduling request (SR), or the like, may be released.    -   A cell selection procedure is performed for restoration of a        link.

For more detailed related operations, please see TS 36.331 for an LTEterminal, and please see TS 38.331 for an NR terminal.

FIG. 4 illustrates a diagram of an example of a method of performing RLMin an NR V2X system. An NR V2X system may consider the following methodsfor RLM.

-   -   perform RLM in only a reception end    -   perform RLM in a transmission end and a reception end

The method of performing RLM in only the reception end is illustrated inFIG. 4. FIG. 4 illustrates a transmission end 410 and a reception end420. Generally, a transmission end and a reception end may be understoodas a subject of transmitting a signal and a subject of receiving asignal. In the V2X system, a terminal may be a transmission end or areception end. Also, the reception end 420 may be a single terminal ormay be multiple terminals. In a scenario such as platooning, thereception end 420 may be multiple terminals. For RLM, the transmissionend transmits a measurement signal and the reception end receives thesame in operation 430. Subsequently, the reception end measures a radiolink quality using the measurement signal in operation 440.Subsequently, the reception end indicates an out-of-sync state or anin-sync state to a higher layer using a communication link qualitymeasurement result in operation 450. Here, the terms, “out-of-sync” or“in-sync” may be replaced with other terms.

FIG. 5 illustrates a diagram of another example of a method ofperforming RLM in an NR V2X system.

Unlike FIG. 4, FIG. 5 illustrates a method of performing RLM in atransmission end and a reception end. FIG. 5 illustrates a transmissionend 510 and a reception end 520. Generally, a transmission end and areception end may be understood as a subject of transmitting a signaland a subject of receiving a signal. In the V2X system, a terminal maybe a transmission end or a reception end. Also, the reception end 520may be a single terminal or may be multiple terminals. In a scenariosuch as platooning, the reception end 520 may be multiple terminals.

For RLM, the transmission end transmits a measurement signal and thereception end receives the same in operation 530. Also, unlike FIG. 4,the reception end may also transmit a measurement signal to thetransmission and, and the transmission end may receive the same.Therefore, the reception end may measure a communication link quality inoperation 540, and may indicate an out-of-synch state or an in-synchstate to the higher layer using the measurement in operation 550. Also,the transmission end may measure a communication link quality inoperation 560, and may indicate an out-of-synch state or an in-synchstate to the higher layer using the measurement in operation 570. Here,the terms, “out-of-sync” or “in-sync” may be replaced with other terms.

The method of performing RLM in an NR V2X system has been described withreference to FIGS. 4 and 5. In the NR V2X system, the following signalsmay be considered as a measurement signal used for RLM.

-   -   SL SS/PBCH: refers to a sidelink synchronization signal block,        and the SL SS/PBCH may include a sidelink synchronization        signal, which includes a sidelink primary synchronization signal        (SL PSS) and a sidelink secondary synchronization signal (SL        SSS), and a physical sidelink broadcast channel (PSBCH).    -   SL CSI-RS: refers to a channel state information reference        signal (CSR-RS) transmitted in a sidelink.    -   SL DMRS: refers to a demodulation reference signal (DMRS)        transmitted in a sidelink.    -   SL PTRS: refers to a phase tracking reference signal (PTRS)        transmitted in a sidelink.

In the NR V2X system, a measurement signal used for RLM is not limitedto the above-mentioned candidates. One or more of the candidate signalsmay be considered to be a measurement signal, and selection of acorresponding measurement signal and configuration informationassociated with the measurement signal may be signaled by a radioresource control (RRC, hereinafter referred to as a Uu-RRC) configuredby a base station or a radio resource control (RRC, hereinafter referredto as a PC-5 RRC) configured by a terminal.

Also, if a measurement signal used for RLM is configured to be measuredrestrictively in a predetermined slot. A base station or a terminal mayconfigure one or more sets of slots for measuring a communication linkquality for RLM, and may enable RLM measurement in the configured setsof slots. When configuring one or more sets of slots for measuring acommunication link quality for RLM, different sets may include differentslots and the slots do not overlap each other. In this instance, the setof slots for measuring a communication link quality for RLM may beconfigured by the Uu-RRC or a PC5-RRC. A set of slots for measuring acommunication link quality for RLM is configured and a terminal isenabled to measure RLM in the corresponding set of slots, so that moreaccurate RLM measurement may be provided, which takes into considerationan interference environment that varies over time in an environmentwhere interference exists.

Subsequently, operation of a terminal after RLM is performed in the NRV2X system is provided.

If the method of performing RLM in only a reception end is applied asillustrated in FIG. 4, a terminal corresponding to the reception end mayperform an RLF related operation based on the result of RLM. If“out-of-sync” is successively indicated by a lower layer, a higher layerof a terminal may operate an RLM-related timer. If “in-sync” issuccessfully indicated by the lower layer, an RLM-related timer may besuspended. If a timer, which starts operation, expires, the terminalcorresponding to the reception end may determine that the RLF occurs,may suspend an RLM-related timer, and may perform one or more of thefollowing procedures in order to restore a link.

-   -   The terminal corresponding to the reception end suspends        sidelink transmission.        -   sidelink transmission to be released may include one or more            of the followings:

semi-persistent scheduling (SPS), channel state information (CSI)feedback including a channel quality indicator (CQI), a HARQ feedback, asounding reference signal (SRS), and a scheduling request (SR).

-   -   In order to restore and reestablish a sidelink, the terminal        corresponding to the reception end may perform one or more of        the following methods:        -   The terminal corresponding to the reception end informs a            base station that a corresponding sidelink is in an RLF            state. The operation may correspond to the case of an            in-coverage terminal.        -   The terminal corresponding to the reception end requests a            base station to release a corresponding sidelink. The            operation may correspond to the case of an in-coverage            terminal.        -   The terminal corresponding to the reception end attempts to            perform SL SS/PBCH block transmission. The operation may be            performed by an in-coverage terminal and an out-of-coverage            terminal.

Also, the method of performing RLM in only a reception end is applied asillustrated in FIG. 4, a terminal corresponding to a transmission endmay not perform procedures 440 and 450 for RLM, unlike a terminalcorresponding to the reception end, but may indirectly recognize a linkquality and may determine an out-of-sync state or an in-sync state. Adetailed method thereof is described with reference to a secondembodiment. As described above, a sidelink of V2X is communicationbetween terminals. Accordingly, if the link quality is poor, atransmission terminal, as well as a reception terminal that receivesdata, may reduce the power consumption via RLM and RLF (since datatransmission may be prevented when communication condition is poor). Inthe case in which RLM and RLF are supported in a terminal that transmitsdata, if the link quality associated with transmission is poor, a leaderterminal of a group in a service scenario, such as platooning, maytransfer a leader function to another terminal so as to support morereliable platooning. Therefore, if the terminal corresponding to thetransmission end determines that the sidelink is RLF according to amethod of the second embodiment, the terminal corresponding to thetransmission end may perform one or more of the following procedures inorder to restore a link.

-   -   The terminal corresponding to the transmission end may suspend        sidelink transmission.        -   In this instance, the terminal corresponding to the            transmission end may request a higher layer to transmit a            keep alive message, before suspending transmission. The keep            alive message may be transmitted to a terminal corresponding            to a reception end via a PC5 interface.    -   The terminal corresponding to the transmission end may perform        sidelink transmission in a fallback mode. The fallback mode may        be a mode for transmitting data using small-sized scheduling        information (which may correspond to sidelink control        information (SCI) in the disclosure). That is, the transmission        end may transmit scheduling information using an SCI format        having a smaller number of bits than that of an SCI format which        is conventionally used.    -   In order to restore and reestablish a sidelink, the terminal        corresponding to the transmission end may perform one or more of        the following methods:        -   The terminal corresponding to the transmission end informs a            base station that a corresponding sidelink is in an RLF            state. The operation may correspond to the case of an            in-coverage terminal.        -   The terminal corresponding to the transmission end requests            a base station to release a corresponding sidelink. The            operation may correspond to the case of an in-coverage            terminal.

The terminal corresponding to the transmission end may request change ofa leader terminal in the case of platooning. The operation may beperformed together with or separately from releasing a correspondingsidelink.

-   -   The terminal corresponding to the transmission end attempts to        perform SL SS/PBCH block transmission. The operation may be        performed by an in-coverage terminal and an out-of-coverage        terminal.

If the method of performing RLM in a transmission end and a receptionend is applied as illustrated in FIG. 5, a terminal corresponding to thereception end may perform an RLF related operation based on the resultof RLM, first. If “out-of-sync” is successively indicated by a lowerlayer, a higher layer may operate an RLM-related timer. If “in-sync” issuccessfully indicated by the lower layer, an RLM-related timer may besuspended. If a timer, which starts operation, expires, the terminalcorresponding to the reception end may determine that the RLF occurs,may suspend an RLM-related timer, and may perform one or more of thefollowing procedures in order to restore a link.

-   -   The terminal corresponding to the reception end suspends        sidelink transmission.        -   Sidelink transmission to be released may include one or more            of the followings:

semi-persistent scheduling (SPS), channel state information (CSI)feedback including a channel quality indicator (CQI), a HARQ feedback, asounding reference signal (SRS), and a scheduling request (SR).

-   -   In order to restore and reestablish a sidelink, the terminal        corresponding to the reception end may perform one or more of        the following methods:        -   The terminal corresponding to the reception end informs a            base station that a corresponding sidelink is in an RLF            state. The operation may correspond to the case of an            in-coverage terminal.        -   The terminal corresponding to the reception end requests a            base station to release a corresponding sidelink. The            operation may correspond to the case of an in-coverage            terminal.        -   The terminal corresponding to the reception end attempts to            perform SL SS/PBCH block transmission. The operation may be            performed by the in-coverage terminal and the            out-of-coverage terminal.

Also, since the transmission end also performs RLM according to FIG. 5,the terminal corresponding to the transmission end may perform anRLF-related operation based on the result of RLM. If “out-of-sync” issuccessively indicated by a lower layer, a higher layer may operate anRLM-related timer. If “in-sync” is successfully indicated by the lowerlayer, an RLM-related timer may be suspended. If a timer, which startsoperation, expires, the terminal corresponding to the transmission endmay determine that it is RLF, may suspend an RLM-related timer, and mayperform one or more of the following procedures in order to restore alink.

-   -   The terminal corresponding to the transmission end may suspend        sidelink transmission.        -   In this instance, the terminal corresponding to the            transmission end may request a higher layer to transmit a            keep alive message, before suspending transmission. The keep            alive message may be transmitted to a terminal corresponding            to the reception end via a PC5 interface.    -   The terminal corresponding to the transmission end may perform        sidelink transmission in a fallback mode. The fallback mode may        be a mode for transmitting data using small-sized scheduling        information (which may correspond to sidelink control        information (SCI) in the disclosure). That is, the transmission        end may transmit scheduling information using an SCI format        having a smaller number of bits than that of an SCI format which        is conventionally used.    -   In order to restore and reestablish a sidelink, the terminal        corresponding to the transmission end may perform one or more of        the following methods:        -   The terminal corresponding to the transmission end informs a            base station that a corresponding sidelink is in an RLF            state. The operation may correspond to the case of an            in-coverage terminal.        -   The terminal corresponding to the transmission end requests            a base station to release a corresponding sidelink. The            operation may correspond to the case of an in-coverage            terminal.

The terminal corresponding to the transmission end may request change ofa leader terminal in the case of platooning. The operation may beperformed together with or separately from releasing a correspondingsidelink.

-   -   The terminal corresponding to the transmission end attempts to        perform SL SS/PBCH block transmission. The operation may be        performed by an in-coverage terminal and an out-of-coverage        terminal.

Also, if a signaling that requests releasing a link is introduced forthe case in which a terminal desires to suspend connection of a sidelinkirrespective of the result of RLM and RLF in the NR V2X system, sidelinkcommunication may be performed more reliably. For example, in aplatooning scenario, when a terminal, which is in platooning, desires tobe out from the platooning, if the terminal transmits a signaling thatrequest releasing a link to a terminal in the group, the terminal in thegroup may receive the corresponding signaling and may not performunnecessary RLM. In this instance, prompt signaling may be needed andthus, releasing a link may be requested using 1-bit information includedin the SCI. For example, if one-bit is set to “1”, a terminal thatreceives the SCI may understand that a terminal that transmits the SCIrequests releasing a sidelink. The corresponding signaling is notlimited to the platooning scenario, and may be considered only forunicast and groupcast communication, as opposed to broadcastcommunication. Also, both the terminal corresponding to the transmissionend and the terminal corresponding to the reception end may transmit asignaling for requesting releasing a link.

FIG. 6 illustrates a diagram of an example of indicating whether totransmit an SL SS/PBCH block according to a scenario in a V2Xcommunication method implemented using a sidelink.

It has been described that a signal, such as an SL SS/PBCH, an SLCSI-RS, an SL DMRS, and an SL PTRS, may be used as a measurement signalfor RLM in the NR V2X system. FIG. 6 illustrates a diagram of the casein which an SL SS/PBCH is incapable of being used as a measurementsignal for RLM according to a V2X scenario.

Diagram 600 illustrates a scenario in which both terminal 1 and terminal2 are present in a cell coverage area, and two terminals access a singlebase station. In the scenario, two terminals perform synchronizationusing a Uu SS/PBCH transmitted by the base station. Accordingly, ifterminal 1 and terminal 2 perform communication using a sidelink, an SLSS/PBCH is not transmitted.

Diagram 610 illustrates a scenario in which both terminal 1 and terminal2 are present in a cell coverage area, but the terminal 1 and theterminal 2 access different base stations and the base stations shareV2X-related resource pool information. In the scenario, when theterminal 1 and terminal 2 perform communication using a sidelink, an SLSS/PBCH may or may not be transmitted depending on a condition. Oncondition that the terminal 1 and the terminal 2 are respectivelysynchronized with corresponding base stations, and the different basestations are synchronized, if the terminal 1 and the terminal 2 performcommunication using a sidelink, an SL SS/PBCH is not transmitted.

Otherwise, the corresponding base station transmits, to thecorresponding terminal, an indication indicating that synchronizationneeds to be established via V2X system information. If the terminal 1and terminal 2 perform communication using a sidelink, an SL SS/PBCH maybe transmitted.

Subsequently, diagram 620 illustrates the case in which terminal 1 ispresent in a cell coverage area but terminal 2 is outside the cellcoverage area. In the scenario, the terminal 1 may transmit an SLSS/PBCH when the reference signals received power (RSRP) of the terminal1 is lower than a threshold point set by the base station. Then, theterminal 2 may obtain synchronization using an SL SS/PBCH transmitted bythe terminal 1 in the cell coverage area.

Diagram 630 illustrates a scenario in which terminal 1 and terminal 2are outside a cell coverage area. In the scenario, synchronization maybe achieved using an SL SS/PBCH transmitted by the terminal 1 or theterminal 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, there may be a case in which an SL SS/PBCH isincapable of being used as a measurement signal for RLM depending on aV2X scenario. That is, in diagrams 600 and 610, if an indicationindicating that synchronization is needed is not transmitted from thebase station to a corresponding terminal, an SL SS/PBCH is nottransmitted. Also, there may be a terminal that is incapable oftransmitting an SL SS/PBCH due to the capability of the terminal.Therefore, configuration of an RLM measurement signal may be consideredas follows.

-   -   Alternative 1: In an environment where an SL SS/PBCH is        transmittable, an SL SS/PBCH is used as an RLM measurement        signal. Otherwise, one or more of an SL CSI-RS, an SL DMRS, and        an SL PTRS may be used as an RLM measurement signal.        -   As illustrated in FIG. 6, that is, in diagrams 600 and 610,            if an indication indicating that synchronization is needed            is not transmitted from a base station to a corresponding            terminal, an SL SS/PBCH may not be used as an RLM            measurement signal.        -   Also, for a terminal that is incapable of transmitting an SL            SS/PBCH due to the capability of the terminal, an SL SS/PBCH            may not be used as an RLM measurement signal.    -   Alternative 2: An SL SS/PBCH and one or more of an SL CSI-RS, an        SL DMRS, and an SL PTRS may be used as RLM measurement signals.        -   Even in an environment in which an SL SS/PBCH is            transmittable, an SL CSI-RS, an SL DMRS, and an SL PTRS, in            addition to the SL SS/PBCH, may be configured as RLM            measurement signals.    -   Alternative 3: An SL SS/PBCH is not used as an RLM measurement        signal. One or more of an SL CSI-RS, an SL DMRS, and an SL PTRS        may be used as RLM measurement signals.

FIG. 7 illustrates a diagram of an example of using an SL SS/PBCH as anRLM measurement signal if the SL SS/PBCH is transmitted from a terminalwhich is different from a terminal that transmits data, in a V2Xcommunication method implemented using a sidelink.

According to FIG. 7, terminal 1 710 is a transmission end that transmitsdata, and terminal 2 720 is a reception end that receives data that theterminal 1 710 transmits. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the terminal 1 710and terminal 3 730 are present in a cell coverage area 700, but theterminal 2 720 is outside the cell coverage area. In this instance, theterminal 2 720 may achieve synchronization based on an SL SS/PBCH 732transmitted by the terminal 1 710 or terminal 3 730 which is present inthe cell coverage area 700.

If only a broadcast communication environment is taken intoconsideration, RLM and RLF procedures are not needed. Accordingly, theterminal 2 720 is synchronized based on an SL SS/PBCH 712 or 732transmitted by the terminal 1 710 or terminal 3 730, and receives datatransmitted by the terminal 1 710. However, in the unicast and groupcastcommunication, it is important to secure continuous connection of aservice and thus, the RLM and RLF procedures may be needed. If theterminal 2 720 receives the SL SS/PBCH block 712 transmitted by theterminal 1 710 and achieves synchronization, the SL SS/PBCH block 712may be valid as a measurement signal for RLM. However, as illustrated inFIG. 7, if the terminal 2 720 receives the SL SS/PBCH block 732transmitted by the terminal 3 730, achieves synchronization, andreceives data transmitted by the terminal 1 710, the SL SS/PBCH block732 transmitted by the terminal 3 730 is transmitted via the linkbetween the terminal 3 730 and the terminal 2 720, and thus, the SLSS/PBCH block 732 may not be an RLM measurement signal valid forrecognizing a link quality between the terminal 1 710 and the terminal 2720.

Therefore, if an SL SS/PBCH block is used as a measurement signal forRLM between a transmission end and a reception end in a sidelinkenvironment where unicast and groupcast communication are supported,there may be a case in which the SL SS/PBCH block is invalid as ameasurement signal for RLM, as illustrated in FIG. 7. Therefore, as themethod of using an SL SS/PBCH block as a measurement signal for RLM inthe NR V2X system, the following methods may be considered.

In the unicast and groupcast communication, a method of using an SLSS/PBCH block as a measurement signal for RLM is as follows.

-   -   Alt-1: allows an SL SS/PBCH block, which is invalid for RLM        (i.e., an SL SS/PBCH block transmitted via a link which is        different from a sidelink, of which the communication link        quality is to be measured), to be used as a measurement for RLM.    -   Alt-2: uses a virtual cell ID for transmission of an SL SS/PBCH        block which is valid for RLM (i.e., an SL SS/PBCH block        transmitted using a sidelink, of which the communication link        quality is to be measured).    -   Alt-3: groups physical cell IDs (or cell IDs) by distinguishing        broadcast from unicast and groupcast.

Among the methods, Alt-1 is a method of allowing an SL SS/PBCH block,based on which synchronization is achieved, to be used as a measurementsignal for RLM even though synchronization is achieved using the SLSS/PBCH block which is invalid for RLM. In the case of Alt-1, theunicast and groupcast communication may not need to introduce anadditional method for using an SL SS/PBCH block as a measurement signalfor RLM, but the accuracy of RLM may be low, which is a drawback. Alt-2will be described in detail with reference to a third embodiment, andAlt-3 will be described in detail with reference to a fourth embodiment.

Second Embodiment

The second embodiment provides a method in which a terminalcorresponding to a transmission end (although not performing a procedurefor RLM unlike a terminal corresponding to a reception end) indirectlyrecognizes a link quality and determines an out-of-sync state or in-syncstate, if the method of performing RLM in only a reception end isapplied as illustrated in FIG. 4. Here, the terms, “out-of-sync” or“in-sync” may be replaced with other terms. The terminal correspondingto the transmission end may need to recognize a link quality using anindirect method since the terminal corresponding to the transmission enddoes not receive a measurement signal for RLM. In this instance, thefollowing methods may be considered.

-   -   SL HARQ-ACK/NACK    -   SL HARQ-NACK    -   SL CSI feedback

In the NR V2X system, it is planned to support introduction of sidelinkHARQ ACK/NACK and channel state information (CSI) feedback (hereinafter,interchangeably used with feedback information) in a sidelinkenvironment where unicast and groupcast communication are supported. Inthe case of HARQ, both a HARQ-ACK and a HARQ-NACK are supported in theunicast communication (i.e., both a reception acknowledgement (ACK) anda reception non-acknowledgement (NACK) are supported). However, in thegroupcast communication, only a HARQ-NACK is supported due to feedbackoverhead. In the case of a CSI feedback, the terminal corresponding tothe transmission end may receive CSI feedback information periodically,aperiodically, or semi-persistently based on CSI-RS configuration andchannel state information report (CSI report) configuration. Therefore,the terminal corresponding to the transmission end may use theabove-mentioned feedback information to determine an out-of-sync stateor an in-sync state according to the following procedures.

-   -   The terminal corresponding to the transmission end defines a        threshold point X for determining an out-of-sync state or an        in-sync state.    -   The threshold point X indicates the length of a time duration        during which reception does not occur after the feedback        information, such as the above-described SL HARQ-ACK/NACK, SL        HARQ NACK, or CSI feedback, is received last.    -   The value associated with the threshold point X may be        configured via an Uu-RRC or a PC5-RRC. Alternatively, the value        may be defined in the standard.    -   If feedback information is not received during the configured        threshold point X, the physical layer of the terminal        corresponding to transmission end may indicate, to a higher        layer, that a link quality is “out-of-sync”.        -   If the link quality is identified as being “out-of-sync”,            the threshold point X may be updated to be double the            previous threshold point value.    -   If feedback information is received within the configured        threshold point X, the physical layer of the terminal        corresponding to the transmission end may indicate that a link        quality is “in-sync”.        -   If the link quality is identified as being “in-sync”, the            threshold point X may be maintained to be equal to the            previous threshold point value.

The terminal corresponding to the transmission end may recognize an“out-of-sync” state or an “in-sync” state according to theabove-described method, and the terminal may perform an RLF-relatedoperation based on the result. If “out-of-sync” is successivelyindicated by a lower layer, a higher layer of the terminal correspondingto the transmission end may operate an RLM-related timer. If “in-sync”is successfully indicated by the lower layer, an RLM-related timer maybe suspended. If the timer, which starts operation, expires, theterminal corresponding to the transmission end may determine that it isan RLF.

Third Embodiment

The third embodiment describes Alt-2 in detail among the methods ofusing an SL SS/PBCH block as a measurement signal for RLM in the unicastand groupcast communication. The embodiment below suggests a method ofusing a virtual cell ID for transmission of an SL SS/PBCH block validfor RLM as a method of using an SL SS/PBCH block as a measurement signalfor RLM. However, the proposal of the disclosure is not limited to theusage of a measurement signal for RLM.

In the third embodiment, a procedure for transmitting an SL SS/PBCHblock valid for RLM using a virtual cell ID may be performed as follows.

-   -   In the case of transmission of an SL SS/PBCH block by a terminal        within a cell coverage area, the terminal may transmit an SL        SS/PBCH block generated using a physical cell ID.    -   A terminal that is outside the cell coverage area searches for a        synchronization signal, and if a synchronization signal is        retrieved, the terminal performs synchronization using the same.    -   After synchronization, if communication performed between the        transmission end and the reception end is unicast and groupcast        communication, a terminal within the cell coverage area may        transmit an SL SS/PBCH block generated using a virtual cell ID,        when transmitting an SL SS/PBCH block.        -   The virtual cell ID is used for unicast and groupcast. The            virtual cell ID may be set to be different from each other,            or may be set to be the same, for unicast and groupcast.        -   If the resource pool (time and frequency resource regions)            for unicast and groupcast is configured separately from the            resource pool for broadcast, the virtual cell ID may be            understood as an ID corresponding to the resource pool for            unicast and groupcast.    -   A terminal outside the cell coverage area may use an SL SS/PBCH        generated using a virtual cell ID as a measurement signal for        RLM. In this instance, a terminal related to unicast        transmission or reception may use an SL SS/PBCH as a measurement        signal using a virtual cell ID for unicast. A terminal related        to groupcast transmission or reception may use an SL SS/PBCH as        a measurement signal using a virtual cell ID for groupcast.        Alternatively, a terminal related to unicast and groupcast        transmission or reception may use an SL SS/PBCH as a measurement        signal using a virtual cell ID for unicast and groupcast.        -   The terminal may reselect an SL SS/PBCH generated using a            virtual cell ID as a new synchronization source, and may use            the same for achieving synchronization.

According to the above-described method, an SL SS/PBCH block may be usedas a measurement signal valid for RLM in the unicast and groupcastcommunication.

Fourth Embodiment

The fourth embodiment describes Alt-3 in detail among the methods ofusing an SL SS/PBCH block as a measurement signal for RLM in the unicastand groupcast communication. Although the embodiment suggests a methodof grouping physical cell IDs by distinguishing broadcast from unicastand groupcast as a method of using an SL SS/PBCH block as a measurementsignal for RLM, the proposal of the disclosure is not limited to theusage of a measurement signal for RLM. In other words, the content ofthe disclosure may be a method of designing a synchronization signal fora sidelink. In the NR V2X system, unicast and groupcast communication,in addition to broadcast communication, may be supported. Also, asdescribed in FIG. 7, there may be a case in which an SL SS/PBCH isinvalid as a measurement signal for RLM in the unicast and groupcastcommunication. Therefore, a synchronization signal needs to be designedto be suitable for a communication environment.

In the case of an NR system, 1008 physical cell IDs are present, and thephysical cell IDs are divided into four groups. In this instance, eachgroup may include 252 unique physical cell IDs. In this instance,physical cell ID N_(ID) ^(cell) may be expressed by a formula as givenbelow.N _(ID) ^(cell)=4N _(ID) ⁽¹⁾ +N _(ID) ⁽²⁾  Equation 1

In Equation 1, N_(ID) ⁽¹⁾∈{0, 1, . . . , 251} and indicates a physicalcell ID group, and N_(ID) ⁽²⁾∈{0, 1, 2, 3} and indicates a physical cellID in a physical cell ID group.

In this instance, physical sidelink ID N_(ID) ^(SL) may have N_(ID)^(SL)∈{0, 1, . . . , 1007}, and the IDs may be grouped into four groupsdepending on the purpose of usage, as below.

Group 1: {0, 1, . . . , 251}

Group 2: {252, 253, . . . , 503}

Group 3: {504, 505, . . . , 755}

Group 4: {755, 756, . . . , 1007}

The physical sidelink IDs are grouped into four groups in order todistinguish broadcast from unicast and groupcast, and also, to identifywhether a terminal that transmits an SS/PBCH block is inside or outsidea cell coverage area. Therefore, the physical cell ID group may beclassified according to the following purposes.

-   -   broadcast, in the case of in-coverage    -   unicast and groupcast, in the case of in-coverage    -   broadcast, in the case of out-of-coverage    -   unicast and groupcast, in the case of out-of-coverage

For example, grouping as shown below may be possible. However, the orderof grouping may be changeable.

-   -   Group 1: broadcast, in the case of in-coverage    -   Group 2:—unicast and groupcast, in the case of in-coverage    -   Group 3: broadcast, in the case of out-of-coverage    -   Group 4:—unicast and groupcast, in the case of out-of-coverage

According to the above-described method, an SL SS/PBCH block may be usedas a measurement signal valid for RLM in the unicast and groupcastcommunication.

In association with identifying in-coverage and out-of-coverage, if acell having a frequency, which is configured to perform a sidelinkoperation and satisfies an S criterion (which is a criterion for cellselection or cell reselection), is not detected, the terminal maydetermine that the terminal itself is out-of-coverage. TS 36.304 Section11.4 provides a detailed description thereof.

Also, whether the terminal is to perform broadcast, unicast, orgroupcast transmission or reception may be configured via a higher layersignal.

The devices for implementing the embodiments are illustrated in FIGS. 8and 9.

FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of an internal structure of aterminal according to an embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 8, theterminal may include a terminal receiver 800, a terminal transmitter804, and a terminal processor 802. The terminal receiver 800 and theterminal transmitter 804 are commonly called a transceiver in theembodiment. The transceiver may perform transmission or reception of asignal with a base station or another terminal. The signal may include asynchronization signal, a reference signal, control information, anddata. To this end, the transceiver includes an RF transmitter thatup-converts and amplifies a frequency of a transmitted signal, an RFreceiver that low-noise amplifies a received signal and down-convertsthe frequency, and the like. Also, the transceiver outputs, to theterminal processor 802, a signal received via a wireless channel, andtransmits a signal output from the terminal processor 802 via a wirelesschannel. The terminal processor 802 may control a series of processessuch that the terminal operates according to the above-describedembodiments.

FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram of an internal structure of a basestation according to an embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the basestation may include a base station receiver 901, a base stationtransmitter 905, and a base station processor 903. The base stationreceiver 901 and the base station transmitter 905 are commonly called atransceiver in the embodiments. The transceiver may perform transmissionor reception of a signal with a terminal. The signal may include asynchronization signal, control information, and data. To this end, thetransceiver includes an RF transmitter that up-converts and amplifies afrequency of a transmitted signal, an RF receiver that low-noiseamplifies a received signal and down-converts the frequency, and thelike. Also, the transceiver outputs, to the base station processor 903,a signal received via a wireless channel, and transmits a signal outputfrom the base station processor 903 via a wireless channel. The basestation processor 903 may control a series of processes such that thebase station operates according to the above-described embodiments.

In the above-described detailed embodiments of the disclosure, acomponent included in the disclosure is expressed in the singular or theplural according to a presented detailed embodiment. However, thesingular form or plural form is selected for convenience of descriptionsuitable for the presented situation, and various embodiments of thedisclosure are not limited to a single element or multiple elementsthereof. Further, either multiple elements expressed in the descriptionmay be configured into a single element or a single element in thedescription may be configured into multiple elements.

Although the embodiment has been described in the detailed descriptionof the disclosure, the disclosure may be modified in various formswithout departing from the scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the scopeof the disclosure should not be defined as being limited to theembodiments, but should be defined by the appended claims andequivalents thereof.

Although the present disclosure has been described with variousembodiments, various changes and modifications may be suggested to oneskilled in the art. It is intended that the present disclosure encompasssuch changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method performed by a terminal in acommunication system, the method comprising: transmitting, to anotherterminal, sidelink data on a sidelink; determining whether a radio linkfailure (RLF) associated with the sidelink is detected based on sidelinkhybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) information for the sidelinkdata; and in case that the RLF is detected, transmitting, to a basestation, information indicating that the RLF associated with thesidelink occurs, wherein the terminal is connected with the basestation, wherein it is determined that the RLF is detected in responseto the sidelink HARQ information being not received during a threshold,and wherein the threshold starts a timing of a last reception of thesidelink HARQ information.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thethreshold is preconfigured or configured by higher layer signalingreceived from the base station.
 3. A terminal in a communication system,the terminal comprising: a transceiver; and a controller configured to:transmit, to another terminal via the transceiver, sidelink data on asidelink, determine whether a radio link failure (RLF) associated withthe sidelink is detected based on sidelink hybrid automatic repeatrequest (HARQ) information for the sidelink data, and in case that theRLF is detected, transmit, to a base station via the transceiver,information indicating that the RLF associated with the sidelink occurs,wherein the terminal is connected with the base station, wherein it isdetermined that the RLF is detected in response to the sidelink HARQinformation being not received during a threshold, and wherein thethreshold starts a timing of a last reception of the sidelink HARQinformation.
 4. The terminal of claim 3, wherein the threshold ispreconfigured or configured by higher layer signaling received from thebase station.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the threshold ispreconfigured or configured by higher layer signaling received from theother terminal.
 6. The terminal of claim 3, wherein the threshold ispreconfigured or configured by higher layer signaling received from theother terminal.